The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1887-12-06
that she sunk back in her seat shaking with

that she sunk back in her seat shaking with
suppressed laughter.
so, when | axed you to stay, meant of
course, for you and mo to Git hitched, - said
Phil, eagerly, plunging boldly into the matter.
~ on must have seen that l like you heap
better than amy of the gals round here" ten
derry, attempting to embrace her.
But Miss Nernors self-possession had re-
turned, and thinking her dupe had gone far
enough she said Jelly:
II think you are very presumptuous Mr.
Dodd what right have you to talk in that way
to MOP"
Phil stared at her aghast.
w hat right" he cried, in passion of dis
appointment and pain. "Why, haint YOU
given mo reason enough to think that you
sot something by me? Couldn't | ha' got as
likely gals as there was in the hull country
side, only I'd rather take you, if you had been
beggar, than any one else with the best farm
iii the state"
The awkward boy was gone and q man with
passionate, wounded heart sat there in his
stead.
If am surprised that you ever thought it
possible could care for YOU" she returned,
coidly. II never dreamed that you would SO
misconstrue my friendship
Truth to tell, tho petted Miss Vernon felt
Just little embarrassed at his just wrath, and
the rest OF tho drive was performed in unc0m-
Portable silence.
She said nothing to May of this episode. feel
ing III no mood for reproaches Besides, some-
thing in Pills face made her conscience give u
rev unusual twinges So with feeling of re-
lief that she was SO soon to leave the farm and
Its inmates she fell asleep.
How long slla slept she knew not but she
awoke with a suifocating feeling and a sense of
impending danger. She CROPPED her way to tho
door and opened it, when q volume OF smoke
and flame rolling up the stairway drove her
oack, half iainting with terror AT the same
TIME the sound of excited voices and cries of
'fire!' from below told her that tho household
had also discovered their danger.
They called wildly to her to come down, but
when she again tried the stairway, again the
flames drove her back. She sunk down with
moan OF despair, but some one dashed up the
burning stairs, wrapt her hastily in blanket,
and bore her out of the room.
Down the blazing stairway, as through fur
mace, they passed. They had reached the hall I;
few steps more and they would gain the door
but, oyerpowered by the deadly heat, her pre-
server sank on one knee with his almost help
less burden.
30, God!" cried Phil's voice. 1--WE shall
die!' And then Nell lost consciousness.
When she again opened her eyes she was ~
face bending over her. Dark figures were hur-
rylng hither and thither, and the whole scence
was lighted up by the glare of the burning
building.
But whose was that dark motoness form
borne along on a shutter, with features burned
and backened horribly?
With a terrible instructive knowledge, the
gay city belle covered her face with her hands
10 shut out the sight.
- She knew tho whole story afterwar{f how
he had rushed through almost certain death to
save her, and had died with her name on his
lips.
Her remorse for her heartless conduct toward
him was keen and sincere She remembered
no more his homely features and ungainly
ways; she thought only of the hero's soul that
burned in that rough frame.
1t was no longer the heartless flirt that re-
turned to her gay city home. The pastime of
breaking mems hearts had lost its old charm
for Nell Vernon. And if ever she did feel
tempted to tribe with an honest affection, the
sight of Pills white, desparing face, On the
evening whom she had crushed his hope, rose
up before her with startling distinctiveness,
laughs.